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‘It’s a Different Game’: Scottie Pippen Explains Why Comparing Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan Makes no Sense

No other play deserves to be on the greatest of all-time list more than Michael Jordan. It is an argument that he almost always wins but it looks like having one or two competitors like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James wasn’t enough. And now Kevin Durant is the NBA player that has also joined this debate. While Steve Kerr may believe that Durant is more gifted than Jordan, Scottie Pippen outrightly refuses to take part in this discussion.

On the heels of his spectacular run in the playoffs this season, fans and analysts have been gushing over him. Despite his roster missing his other co-stars, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, KD proved how much he can do for the Brooklyn Nets single-handedly. Only reassuring Nets fans the heights the trio can achieve together. With all this, his name began to pop up next to Michael Jordan‘s.

In fact, it was his former Warriors’ coach that started it with high praises for him. Steve Kerr stated that Durant was more gifted than MJ, according to him. But when the same question was posed to another former teammate of MJ, his response was very different.

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan
Michael Johnson #23, shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls prepares to make a shot during a Central Division game in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) 1988 – 1989 season at Chicago Stadium, Chicago, United States. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)

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Scottie Pippen doesn’t want MJ vs Kevin Durant comparisons

In an interview with Scottie Pippen, he was asked to pick the better player between Durant and Jordan. To which he said, “Why would you ask a question like that? But I wanted you to ask me this.”

He explained, “Why don’t we compare Kevin Durant to George Gervin? Why don’t we go back 30 or 40 years? You can throw Michael in there but I am not going to name him. George Gervin, slender, score, handle, had it all. But guess what he had to play against? Physicality of the hands, the form. Kevin Durant doesn’t play under that stress.”

Pippen believes both MJ and Durant were playing in very different circumstances so comparisons shouldn’t be there. “So, why would you ask me if Kevin Durant is better than Jordan? It’s a different game. Kevin Durant shooting freely three’s from anywhere on the court. You can touch these players after they pass half-court in today’s game. So, how are you going to ask me to make that comparison?”

Scottie also emphasized on how much Jordan scored every night despite the pushing, tripping, no replays. And when it comes to the digits, Jordan easily takes the cake. So, Durant may be one of the best players but to be anywhere near Jordan, is a different ball game altogether.

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The post ‘It’s a Different Game’: Scottie Pippen Explains Why Comparing Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan Makes no Sense appeared first on EssentiallySports.